Thiruvananthapuram | The Keralam government on Friday declared October 19 a public holiday in connection with the Durgashtami festival, officials said.

The General Administration Department issued an order declaring the holiday.

The holiday will apply to all government and quasi-government offices, public sector undertakings, institutions covered under the Negotiable Instruments Act and all educational institutions, including professional colleges, the order said.

The holiday comes ahead of the Pooja festival holidays on October 20 and 21, providing an extended break for people in the state.